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Where to stay around Kiawah Island, SC?

Our 2018 property listings offer a large selection of 2,057 vacation rentals near Kiawah Island. From 893 houses to 561 villas, find a unique house rental for you to enjoy a memorable stay with your family and friends. The best places to stay near Kiawah Island for a holiday or a weekend are on HomeAway.

Spend most of your days living in a golfer's paradise

Situated 25 miles south of Charleston, South Carolina, Kiawah Island is a laid-back, family-friendly barrier island, featuring world-class golf courses, lazy rivers made for paddleboarding and kayaking, and expansive, sandy beaches. Hike or bike along the trails that wind around the island and through the charming neighborhoods, or spend the day bouncing between the beach volleyball court and your boogie board. Just ask yourself one question: should your Kiawah Island vacation rental to be a charming bungalow nestled among the palms, or a sprawling waterfront home towering above the dunes?

The epicenter of southern comfort and charm

Kiawah is an outdoor-lover's paradise, both on and off the water. Take a boat out into the wetlands, binonculars in hand for some prime crocodile spotting and birdwatching. Animal lovers should also keep their eyes peeled for dolphins, or, if the season is right, volunteer with the local turtle preservation society to guide baby loggerhead turtles into the sea. Some campsites dot the coast for anyone eager to spend a night away from their Kiawah Island vacation rental and sleep under the stars. You can also find plenty of shopping, dancing, and outdoor concerts in the nearby Freshfields Village.

Step back into history with a trip to nearby Charleston

Most of Kiawah Island's top attractions revolve around its natural beauty and the stunning outdoors. From world-class golf courses to beautiful parks and nature walks, there's plenty to see and do outside your Kiawah Island Vacation Rental. But because you'll likely have a car with you (you'll need one to fully enjoy the destination), don't rule out a trip into nearby Charleston. Here, you'll find the Old Slave Mart Museum, documenting Charleston's role in American slavery, as well as the Gibbes Museum of Art, the Children's Museum of the Lowcountry, and a variety of stunning historic homes.

Lessons in avoiding lovebugs in the Lowcountry

Kiawah Island is best enjoyed from April through June, or for the month of October. This is when you'll find warm days meant for swimming, and cool nights, ideal for bonfires on the beach. Visitors in July and August will find high temps and higher humidity, while September travelers may find swarms of local "lovebugs," a type of fly that travels attached to its mate and is nearly unavoidable for most of the month. The winter is pleasant but cool, so while a dip may not be possible, you can still enjoy much of the island.

Don't worry, the gators won't getcha. Probably.

Situated 45 minutes from Charleston, Kiawah Island serves as a barrier island for the South Carolina coast, and operates largely as a resort island, full of gated communities and protected lands. Along the island's coast, you'll find miles upon miles of broad, sandy beaches, lined with dunes, seagrass, and loggerhead turtle nests. Much of the central island is forested, with lush palms, or comprised of marshland. The occassional paddleboarder may be spotted floating along the ponds, and it's just as likely you'll see an alligator ambling by.